UNCTAD believes that enhanced cooperation between the private and the public sector is essential to the effective integration of developing countries into the global economy and seeks ways to involve civil society organizations, academia, trade unions, parliamentarians and business associations in its work.

Cooperation with civil society is mutually beneficial: it helps civil society actors, empowering and enhancing their advocacy role in support of sustainable development, while adding value to the work of UNCTAD and its member States in achieving tangible development outcomes.

The Civil Society Outreach (CSO) Unit of UNCTAD is responsible for liaison and outreach to civil society. Its role is to encourage and facilitate participation and engagement of civil society in the work of UNCTAD.

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During the session, speakers demonstrated how the current negotiations in the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) remain tilted towards the interests of developed country corporations, rather than the inclusive and sustainable development aspirations of the majority of the world.

The panelists were invited to address questions on: what could be the main feature of a multilateral consensus on trade and investment; how relevant stakeholders could be brought together in addressing issues arising; and what the Bali Ministerial could deliver for a balanced world economy.

The 12 goals put forward by the United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel of eminent persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda require a raft of economic reforms, UNCTAD Secretary-General Supachai Panitchpakdi has said.